Box construction



J1me 1961 R. H. HAFFENREFFER 2,989,222

BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 11, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3

June 20, 1961- R. H. HAFFENREFFER 2,989,222

BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 11, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

June 20, 1961 R. H. HAFFENREFFER 9 9 ox CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 11, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 63 [I] WW WW United States Patent 2,989,222 BOX CONSTRUCTION Robert H. Haifenrelfer, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, assignor to Ellis Paperboard Products, Inc., Portland, Maine Filed Sept. 11, 1959, Ser. No. 839,340 12 Claims. (Cl. 229-45 The present invention relates to a collapsible box construotion, and in particular to an improved box and filler construction, ordinarily formed of cardboard or the like.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive, but sturdy box and filler construction. In the present invention the filler is formed of a plurality of interlocking partitions, some of which are integrally formed with the walls of the box. No specially designed locking tabs or the like are required to assemble or set up the box.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a box and filler combination having a plurality of covering elements wherein portions of the covering elements are formed with slots with these slotted portions defining end partitions in the filler.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide a box and integral divider or filler of sturdy construction and in which integrally formed covering elements and partitions form a butter zone about the sides of the box. This construction folds fiat for shipping and storage. It may be formed of components which can be cut from blanks with substantially no waste. Longitudinal and transverse partitions may be identical and therefore inexpensively formed. Components in several diiferent sized boxes may also be interchangeable. Such interchangeable components make this type of construction quite suitable for a variety of different sized boxes.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from a consideration of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the cover and one side wing open.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modification of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of FIG. 4 partially open, and,

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a modification of FIG. 4.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. l-3, where like numerals refer to like components, a plurality of transverse partitions 10 interlock with a plurality of longitudinal partitions 11. The transverse partitions 10 are each identically formed with a series of parallel slots 12 projecting downwardly from the 'upper edge 13 at preferably uniformly spaced distances from one another. The upper portion of the slot may be beveled as illustrated at 14. The slots 12 extend preferably slightly more than half the height of the partitions. The longitudinal partitions 11 are also formed with slots indicated at 15 which project upwardly from the lower edges 16 for a distance greater than half the height of the partitions 11. Slots 12 and 15 are adapted to interlock to form a meshing filler. Longitudinal partitions 11 are additionally provided with slots 18 adjacent and parallel to the forward edges 19 which slots 18 extend downwardly to slightly more than one-half the height of the partitions 11. The end slots 20 of partitions 10 engage parallel slots 21 extending upwardly from the lower edge of the end partitions 22. The end partitions 22 are integrally formed with the sides 23. The sides 23 are provided with side wings 24 which are integrally connected to the end partitions through a connecting web Patented June 20, T961 25 having a width equal to the width between the slots 20 and the side edges of the partitions 10. The side wings 24 are also provided with a flap 28 adapted to be engaged between the end edges 30 of the partitions 11 and the cover member 31. The cover member 31 as well as cover member 32 are identical in configuration. Each of these elements are preferably die cut from single blank and comprise a partition section 40 and wall section 41, a cover member 42 and flap 43 continuous with one another in the order listed. The partition member in each is formed with a plurality of parallel slots 47 extending inwardly from the free transverse edge of the partition member. These slots which may be bevelled as illustrated at 48 each engage the slots 18 at one end of the longitudinal partitions 11. Opposite end slots 18 on the longitudinal partitions 11 extend from opposite edges 16 and 16a of the partitions. Thus the free transverse edge of the partition member 40 is close to the upper edge 16a of the partitions 11 while the transverse edge 51 on member 31 is close to the lower edge 16 of the longitudinal partitions 11. The partitioning member 40 and wall 41 are spaced apart by the connecting webs 55 and thereby form a rigid buffered zone at the ends of the container. The flaps 43 have a height which is preferably less than the height of the slots 18 and 15. This permits flaps 43 to be engaged when the cover member 42 is closed in the slots 18 and permits the cover member to lie fiat.

The assembled construction as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are rigid and sturdy and provides a box having partitions forming individual compartments with a buffer zone bordering the walls of the box. This buffer zone as illustrated is formed by the side wings and end partitions as the sides and the end wall and partitioning members. The box is easily assembled and may be shipped flat.

A modification of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. This modification is particularly adapted for shipping articles such as tooth paste, tooth paste brushes and the like. The box is also designed for the dual functions of a shipping container and a display box for counter-use. A plurality of longitudinal partitions 50, rectangular in form, have a plurality of parallel slots 51 extending inwardly from opposite ends 52 and 53. The ends of the slots 51, may be bevelled as illustrated at 54. These longitudinal partitions 50 are interlocked by a plurality of transverse partitions 55. Each transverse partition has a plurality of parallel slots 56 extending inwardly from one side edge 57 at positions corresponding with spacing between the longitudinal partitions. Transverse partitions are provided at each end of the longitudinal partitions except for one row of slots which are used for securing the cover elements 60 and 61. Cover element 60 is formed with a partitioning member 62, web 63, cover 64, end wall 65 and flap 66, each integral and continuous with the adjacent part in the order set forth. These parts are formed of a single piece of cardboard or similar material with the various parts defined from one another by score lines such as is indicated at 67. Partitioning member 62 is sized and shaped similar to transverse partitions '55 and is also provided with slots 57. This partitioning member 62 interengages the row of slots indicated at 68 at ends 52 of the longitudinal partitions 50. The cover 64 lies over the upper surface of the longitudinal partitions while the end wall covers ends '53 of the partitions. Flap 66 may be engaged in the lower transverse row of slots indicated at 69.

Cover element 61 is similar in construction to cover element 60 having corresponding flap 66, end wall 65, cover 64, transverse web 63 and partitioning member 62. In addition, however, cover element 61 is provided with side wings 70 terminating in the side flaps 71. These side wings extend outwardly from the side edges of the cover 64 immediately adjacent the web 63.

Partitioning member 62 engages the row of slots 69 immediately adjacent and in facing relation with flap 66 of cover elements '60 when the box is closed. The cover 64 of cover element 61 lies against the bottom of the longitudinal partitions 50 while end wall 65 lies against ends 52 of partitions t). Flap 66 of the cover elements 61 is engaged in the row of slots indicated at 68 immediately adjacent and facing partitioning member 62 of the cover element 60.

When this box is used at a display, individual transverse partitions 55 may be removed from end 53 as the goods contained at their end are used thereby exposing additional goods. Moreover, utilization of two sets of transverse partitions permits the center portion of the box to be opened or exposed when the cover is up, thereby permitting greater versatility in the use of the box for advertising and display purposes.

The cover 64 is perforated transversely along the line 30 from one side to the other. When the box is set up for display, the cover is torn along this perforated line 80 and the upper portion 81 is discarded. This will leave a neat and compact display box in which the contents are readily displayed in a simple and efficient manner.

In the modification illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it is sometimes desirable to lock one or the other or both of the cover members 31 and 32 in place. To etfect such a locking, cuts 85 and 86 are provided at opposite sides of the flap 43 with complementary cuts 87 and 88 in the partition section 40. Cuts 85 and 86 are angularly inclined with respect to score edge 89 of the flap 43, diverging away from this score edge toward the center of the flap 43. Cuts 87 and 88 angularly inclined with respect to the score edge 90 defining one side of partition section 40 with the cuts 87 and 88 inclined towards the score line toward the center of the section 40. The outer edges of these cuts are spaced substantially the same distance from the adjacent score lines or edges referred to so that when the cover 32 or 31 is closed, the cut 85 will interengage with the cut 87 and the cut 86 will interengage with the cut 88.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible box construction having a filler and covering members, said filler comprising a plurality of interlocking flat partitions forming lattice-like compartments, said covering members formed of a plurality of fiat panels integrally connected in series at their side edges, one outermost panel in said series formed with a plurality of parallel slots in the outer side edge thereof with each slot adapted to engage one of said partitions and form therewith additional compartments, other of said panels adapted to lie adjacent the outer edges of said partitions and thereby define the walls of said box construction.

2. A collapsible box construction comprising a plurality of fiat partitions arranged in two groups normal to one another with each partition formed with a plurality of slots extending inwardly from at least one edge, said partitions of one group engaged in a portion of the slots of the other; a cover member comprising a plurality of panels in series with successive panels having common side edges forming hinge lines, one of said end panels interlocking with one of said groups at a distance spaced inwardly from the ends of the partitions of said one group and parallel to the partitions of the other group, said cover member having the other of said panels lying in facing relation with said ends and at least one side edge of each of said partitions of said one group.

3. A collapsible box construction comprising a plurality of flatpartitions arranged in two groups normal to one another with each partition formed with a plurality of slots extending inwardly from at least one edge, said partitions of one group engaged in aposition ofthe slots of the other; a cover member comprising a plurality of panels in series with successive panels having common side edges forming hinge lines, one of said end panels having a plurality of parallel slots formed in the free side edge thereof, said endpanel' interlocking with one of said groups with said parallel slots engaging the Partitions of said one group at a distance spaced from one end, said cover member having the other of said panels lying in facing relation with said ends and at least one side edge of each of said partitions of said one group.

4. A collapsible box construction comprising a plurality of fiat partitions arranged in two groups normal to one another with each partition formed with a plurality of slots extending inwardly from at least one edge, said partitions of one group engaged in a portion of the slots of the other, a pair of cover members, each comprising a plurality of panels in series with successive panels having common side edges forming hinge lines and an end panel having a plurality of elongated slots formed in the free side edge thereof, each of said end panels interlocking with the same one of said groups with said elongated slots of each end panel engaging the partitions of said one group at a distance spaced from the ends thereof, said cover members extending around the partitions of said one group with said hinge lines transverse to said last mentioned partitions and coinciding with the corners thereof.

5. A collapsible box construction comprising a plurality of fiat partitions arranged in two groups normal to one another with each partition formed with a plurality of slots extending inwardly from at least one edge, said partitions of one group engaged in a portion of the slots of the other; a pair of cover members, each comprising a plurality of panels in series with successive panels having common side edges forming hinge lines and an end panel having a plurality of elongated slots formed in the free side edge thereof, each of said end panels interlocking with different opposite ends of partitions in one of said groups and with said elongated slots engaging said partitions inwardly of the ends, said cover members extending around said one group in opposite directions from said end panels with the other of said panels in each cover member lying in face to face relation with the edges of the partitions of said onegroup.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein each cover member is for-med with a flap at the end opposite said end panel, said flap adapted to engage slots in said partitions to secure said cover member closed.

7. A collapsible box construction comprising a plurality of flat partitions arranged in two groups normal to one another with each partition formed with a plurality of slots extending upwardly from at least one edge, said partitions of one group engaged in a portion of the slots of the other; thereby forming a compartmentalized lattice-like filler having rectangular compartments, a pair of cover members, each comprising a pinrality of panels in series with successive panels having common side edges forming hinge lines and an end panel having a plurality of parallel elongated slots formed in the free side edge thereof, corresponding panels in each cover member lying in facing relation with opposite edges including the side edges of the partitions of one group, each of said end panels interlocked with the partitions of said one group at opposite ends thereof with each end panel having its elongated slots interengaged with said partitions a distance spaced from the ends thereof and with each end panel normal to said partitions and in part forming said tiller.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said partitions are formed with slots extending inwardly from each side edge, said slots on one side of each partition interengaged to form said filler, and said slots on the other side interlocking with said elongated slots of one of said end panels.

9. A device as set forth in claim 7 having side wings lying in facing relation with the ends of the partitions. of

said other group and integral with the end partitions of said other group.

10. A device as set :forth in claim 5 wherein cuts are formed from the end edges of each outermost panel with the outermost panels of one cover member adapted to engage the outermost panel of the other cover member.

11. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein cuts are formed in the end edges of said end panel adjacent its common edge, and cuts are formed in the outermost panels of said cover member at the end opposite said end panels, said cuts in said end panels adapted to engage said cuts in said outermost panel of the cover member.

12. In a collapsible box having a filler defining compartments, a covering member comprising a plurality of flat panels integrally connected in series at their side edges, means forming a plurality of parallel elongated slots in one of said side edges each adapted to engage said filler to form therewith additional compartments, said panels also at least in part enclosing said filler.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Levine July 20, 1937 

